What should officers do with witnesses at a crime scene?

In a criminal investigation, separating witnesses at a crime scene is a crucial protocol that helps maintain the integrity of witness testimonies. When witnesses are kept apart from one another, it minimizes the risk of them influencing each other's accounts of the event. This is important because if witnesses discuss what they saw with each other, it may lead to the distortion of their memories or prompt them to conform to a collective narrative that may not be accurate.

By separating witnesses, officers can individually obtain more reliable and independent statements, which can be essential for reconstructing the sequence of events and determining the facts of the case. This practice is vital for ensuring that investigators have clear and distinct testimonies that can stand up in court, providing a stronger foundation for the case overall.

Other options may imply actions that could compromise the investigation's integrity. For example, isolating might suggest a more extreme measure than necessary, while interrogating implies a level of pressure that is not conducive to gathering accurate information. Collecting could refer to gathering evidence rather than obtaining witness statements, which is separate from the aspect of managing witness interactions.